Central Ave Dance Ensemble

The Central Avenue Dance Ensemble

The Central Avenue Dance Ensemble is a multi-aged performance group led by Chester Whitmore. Our mission is to perpetuate and promote American Vernacular dances of the 20th Century. These dances include: American street dances such as Leonard Reed’s Shim Sham Shimmy, the Shorty George, the Charleston (1920s) and the Lindy Hop (1920s - 40s). These are in addition to dances derived from them like the Chicago Bop (1960s) which begat Steppin’ (1990s). We aim to show the connections between dance forms from generation to generation and their connection to music and cabaret; to show how American vernacular dances were influenced by African dance and were shaped by spirituality and slavery (liturgical dance) as well as were molded by rhythm and music (tap dance and Salsa). We aim to express the infectious healing qualities of dance, to educate audiences and to spread the joy of dance.

Recent Content:

Type	Title	Post date	Updated/commented date
Event	Central Ave Dance Ensemble performs at TV Land Awards after party	Tuesday, April 27, 2010 - 12:58am	Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 5:21pm
Event	Sandra Giles: CADE Performs at Sandra Giles Birthday Party	Tuesday, July 6, 2010 - 7:23pm	Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 5:23pm
Event	Chester Whitmore and the Central Ave Dance Ensemble perform at Barbara Morrison's Juneteenth Show	Tuesday, June 1, 2010 - 1:48pm	Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 5:24pm
Event	CADE performs at 2nd Annual Tango On The Streets	Saturday, November 19, 2011 - 2:02pm	Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 5:25pm
Event	CADE Performs at USA Dance LA Halloween Ball	Saturday, November 19, 2011 - 1:58pm	Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 5:26pm
Event	Archive: The History of Black Dance in America (2011)	Tuesday, January 4, 2011 - 9:45am	Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 5:32pm
Video Embed	The Kissing Bandit	Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - 4:31pm	Saturday, September 26, 2015 - 3:54pm
Video Embed	Waltz: Anya and Danny	Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - 4:40pm	Saturday, September 26, 2015 - 3:58pm
Video Embed	Rock On!	Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - 4:40pm	Saturday, September 26, 2015 - 4:03pm
Video Embed	Ain't Nothin' Like The Real Thing	Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - 4:40pm	Sunday, September 27, 2015 - 6:13pm